E for Easy (or will it be) Airfix Lancaster B3 Dambusters.

[Spookytooth]

Right, my next major project the Lancaster B III Dambuster Special .

 

 

Purchased from Modelzone a few years back in one of their sales.

 

 

Lots of plastic in the box.

 

 

So I added some P.E. to make things fun, I think.

 

 

To keep my sanity a set of Montex masks, there is a fair amount of clear bits.

 

 

And to help my feeble brain`s memory I cross referenced the Eduard and Airfix instructions.

 

 

A nice set of decals although I am a bit apprehensive using them after the fun I had with the Defiant.

 

 

And nice colour plan as well.

 

 

Both the decals and the colour sheet were missing when I purchased it but a quick email to Airfix and 5 days later an envelope arrived with the above bits , thank you Airfix.

 

Well time for tea so will add more info later.

 

All comments welcome.

 

Simon.

[Tomoshenko]

Nice kit. I like all the extra detailing goodies, but maximum level carpet monster security measures advised... The only grief I had with mine was that the fuselage halves were a tad warped.

[giemme]

No kidding? A big beast with lots of PE thrown in for good measure! What's not to like?? I'm in!  

 

Ciao 

[Spookytooth]

1 hour ago, Tomoshenko said:

Nice kit. I like all the extra detailing goodies, but maximum level carpet monster security measures advised... The only grief I had with mine was that the fuselage halves were a tad warped.

I have taken that into consideration sir, cutting bits off is not the problem it`s the handling of them when putting them into place shall be the fun part. At least we have a dark carpet LOL.

 

1 hour ago, giemme said:

No kidding? A big beast with lots of PE thrown in for good measure! What's not to like?? I'm in!  

 

Ciao 

Yep Giorgio, something to get my teeth into, I may have nightmares later though LOL.

You are always welcome sir.

 

For reference I have these three publications to help.

 

 

 

 And if it OK with @The Spadgent I will use his excellent build of the Tamiya 1/48 kit to help with additional painting / fitting bits.

 

 I have decided to build "E" for Easy as it was one of the aircraft that did not make it to its target the Sorpe Dam.

It was piloted by F/L Barlow DFC (RAAF) part of the second wave. The plane hit high Voltage power lines when crossing The Netherlands and crashed afterwards killing all on board.

The "Upkeep" mine broke free during the crash and the local Mayor thought it was a new type of "long range" fuel tanks,

Apparently he nearly had heart failure when he was told it had 3 ton of Torpex inside not petrol.

 

This build is dedicated to the 53 crew that did not return.

 

Anyhow , fag break before starting this beast, there is going to be a lot more work than expected but looking forward to it.

 

All comments welcome.

 

Simon.

 

 

Edited November 24, 2020 by Spookytooth

[Spookytooth]

Thanks @Marklo, @elger, @dogsbody, @Dr. Quack , @giemme and @alt-92.

And welcome to the madness @RJP.

 

With a lot to do on this build Chief Eng. Grey Bear is on hand to point in in the right direction.

 

 

Fresh blades and a new tool to use (Well the good lady Rose purchased it for me last Xmas).

 

 

There is a lot to remove according to the instructions, so I marked the first few bits out in red (so numb nuts here doesn't forget).

 

 

Rib removed from bomb bay.

 

 

And I cut the first bit of P.E.

 

 

The cabin floor.

 

That`s it for tonight, back is giving a bit of gipp.

 

All comments welcome.

 

Simon.

[giemme]

Let me tell you, Lady Rose is a Lady - what a gift! And it looks like you're putting it to good use, Simon

 

Ciao 

[Spookytooth]

Thanks @Marklo, @Dr. Quack, @elger, @giemme and @dogsbody.

 

Not much done so far today but I am taking it slowly, making sure that seams are removed and the pieces fit together nicely.

 

Bulkheads and wing spars were done first.

 

 

Before I glued my first bit of P.E.

 

 

Next up, the I.P. had its details removed read for painting and P.E. to be added.

 

 

The control column was fun with three bits of brass to glue together.

 

 

And done.

 

 

I have been looking at the rest of the P.E. and I think that my work is going to be cut out.

I wish that Eduard had give step by step instructions of the complex parts like the pilots seat, but I suppose it`s part of the fun.

 

All comments welcome.

 

Simon.

[giemme]

Lovely PE action Simon  The control column looks ace!

 

Ciao 

[bigbadbadge]

Hi Simon 

Nice choice,  crikey that control column looks lovely.  Great start.  Hope your back is okay 

Chris

[bbudde]

Hello Simon, of course I'm in here for that (growing up there nearby). Nice PE bits and a great start there. Should be fun to build.

 

Cheers

Edited November 25, 2020 by bbudde

[rob85]

Looks like a great start simon, I’ll be keeping my eye out on this as have two Lancaster’s I’d love to build.

 

Rob 

[HOUSTON]

Whoa !! 

This is exciting thread to follow.

Everyone  old enoug to know about Dambuusrers  will

be excited to soo your Lancaster  build 

SPLENDID  start 

 

 

 

[Spookytooth]

On 25/11/2020 at 17:57, giemme said:

Lovely PE action Simon  The control column looks ace!

 

Ciao 

Thanks Giorgio, it was a bit fiddly but I managed it, just.

 

On 25/11/2020 at 18:01, bigbadbadge said:

Hi Simon 

Nice choice,  crikey that control column looks lovely.  Great start.  Hope your back is okay 

Chris

Ta Chris, the back problem is something to do with age LOL + bad posture at the bench too.

 

21 hours ago, bbudde said:

Hello Simon, of course I'm in here for that (growing up there nearby). Nice PE bits and a great start there. Should be fun to build.

You are welcome Benedikt, I have read before on this forum that you know the area well.

The P.E. bits are a challenge but I am up for it.

 

9 hours ago, rob85 said:

Looks like a great start simon, I’ll be keeping my eye out on this as have two Lancaster’s I’d love to build.

 

Rob 

 

9 hours ago, rob85 said:

Looks like a great start simon, I’ll be keeping my eye out on this as have two Lancaster’s I’d love to build.

 

Rob 

Thank you Rob, I have another Lanc in the stash (the Revell one) which I have plans for in the future.

 

3 hours ago, HOUSTON said:

Whoa !! 

This is exciting thread to follow.

Everyone  old enoug to know about Dambuusrers  will

be excited to soo your Lancaster  build 

SPLENDID  start 

 

 

 

Thanks HOUSTON, who has not seen the film, good old stirring stuff.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJun5ziotfw

 

I forgot to put this in at the start of this thread.

 

Stay safe.

 

Simon.

 

[Spookytooth]

Thank you @Marklo, @elger, @Biggu, @Tomoshenko, @Dr. Quack, @patmaquette, and @dogsbody.

 

OK folks, while looking through the sprues I see that this one must of replaced the one with the bombs on, one of the other runners has the racks on it.

 

 

First mistake and not mine either.

Airfix have number up these parts wrongly, but easily sorted out.

 

 

The tape is there to tell them apart.

 

Wheels next, glued and allowed to set, I will clean them up tomorrow, although I did drill through the mounting holes to allow easier holding whle painting etc.

 

 

And finally the wings were cleaned up and check fitted.

 

 

Taped together for safety.

 

Apart from the rudders/tail fins has cleared 2 sprues already.

 

Not much else done but I am hoping to get some more done tomorrow and at the weekend.

 

All comments welcome.

 

Simon.

[bbudde]

1 hour ago, Spookytooth said:

You are welcome Benedikt, I have read before on this forum that you know the area well.

On this video at 1:18 you see a black thinghy from the distance on the left lower side. They expose there a turbine boiler of the power plant  that Hopgood destroyed on his fatal run after being hit.  Above there is a parking lot behind the trees and the stairway down the dam. Very impressive while you're walking donwards, but very irritating with all that damn mosquitos then in  the summer. I guess the dam was cleaned half then, when they made that video, but you can't really see  the breaking part anyway now. Too long ago.

Cheers

[Bell209]

4 hours ago, bbudde said:

but you can't really see  the breaking part anyway now. Too long ago.

Yeah, my wife and I looked very hard but could see no sign of the repairs three years ago. Interestingly, there's a memorial to those killed by the 'agressors' who destroyed the dam just near the car park. That contrasts with the memorial to the 617SQN crews lost on the raid at the Derwent Reservoir. All depends on your point of view, I guess. At least we're all friends now!

[bbudde]

12 minutes ago, Bell209 said:

I guess. At least we're all friends now!

So I think, hopefully.

[Spookytooth]

15 hours ago, bbudde said:

So I think, hopefully.

Life is so so short to hold grudges, I for one just want to see the whole world at peace.

 

Simon.

[bbudde]

22 minutes ago, Spookytooth said:

Life is so so short to hold grudges, I for one just want to see the whole world at peace.

Totally agreed. I'm glad I've grown up in the 70' at a more ore or less peaceful period here now.

Cheers

[Spookytooth]

Thanks @Jeff G, @rob85, @Ray S, @dogsbody, @giemme, @Brigbeale, @Tomoshenko, @bbudde, @Dr. Quack, and @Marklo.

 

Well after a wasted morning running around town  I managed to get a little bit more done.

 

Details removed from the fuselage halves ready for the P.E. (after P&P of course)

 

 

My first attempt at P.E. bending, not bad but hopefully I will get a bit better at it.

 

 

Started work on the Nav`s table, removed detail from the bulkhead and bent a bit of brass.

 

 

And started the "Upkeep Mine" and trolley although once built the trolley will be spare.

 

 

Hopefully I may get to lay some primer and paint down over the weekend.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

All comments welcome.

 

Simon.

[giemme]

Ah, the joys of PE!  

 

But you are managing them properly,  Simon - and with practice you only get better

 

Ciao 

[Spookytooth]

Thanks @Dr. Quack, @giemme, @dogsbody, @rob85 and @bbudde.

 

As I said last night I would get some more done today and I have.

 

Bulkheads and wing spars fixed into place.

 

 

And primed.

 

 

A better pic of the seat.

 

 

Fuselage primed and ready for some colour.

 

 

And finally for now, I.P. and Nav table primed too.

 

 

Time for a bit of brunch then onwards.

 

All comments welcome.

 

Simon.

 

 

[HOUSTON]

Simon,

Progress  looks excellent. 

[giemme]

Nice going, Simon - the seat looks ace and the primer coat is super-smooth!

 

Ciao 

[Spookytooth]

2 hours ago, HOUSTON said:

Simon,

Progress  looks excellent. 

 

2 hours ago, giemme said:

Nice going, Simon - the seat looks ace and the primer coat is super-smooth!

 

Ciao 

Thanks Houston and giemme, the primer is good old trusty Alcad 2 sprayed at 15 p.s.i. through a 0.4 nozzle.

 

Right brunch done and spraying commenced.

 

Interior green first.

 

 

 

Then masked before matt black added to her.

 

 

 

some touch ups but WTF.

 

Bomb bay done, although half of it will not be seen .

 

 

And the IP got a coat too.

 

 

I am leaving that to dry before doing anything else.

 

 

All comments welcome.

 

Simon.